Working Abroad in Spain: Everything You Need to Know Before Moving

Spain sells you a dream. Think paella, palm trees, and siestas. And it really delivers on most of it. But if you’re serious about working in Spain (not just sunbathing there), it’s worth knowing that behind the beautiful lifestyle sits a complex job market.

The good news: more English-speaking jobs in Spain exist than ever before, especially for EU citizens and remote professionals. The less good news: salaries can be modest, and getting your foot in the door takes strategy and persistence.

Still, if you plan smartly, Spain can be one of the most balanced places in Europe to work abroad, where “quality of life” isn't just a pipe dream.

Here's everything you need to know about working in Spain before you take the leap.

Why Work in Spain?

If you’re weighing the benefits of working in Spain, the answer depends on what you value more: security or lifestyle. For many expats, it’s not about making the most money. It’s about living well.

Here’s why so many foreigners decide to work abroad in Spain:

• A lifestyle that makes work feel lighter. Long lunches, blue skies, and an easy rhythm. The Spanish lifestyle is no cliché. Spain really is one of the few countries where work genuinely fits around life, not the other way around. Locals take downtime seriously, and it shows in their energy and social culture.

  
  

• Growing job market for multilingual professionals. Spain’s unemployment rate is still higher than the EU average, but demand for skilled workers in tech, customer support, renewable energy, and education keeps rising. Many jobs for foreigners in Spain now target EU citizens fluent in English (and ideally another EU language).

  
  

• EU membership makes relocation simple. For EU citizens, working in Spain is almost frictionless. No work permit needed, just register locally. You can start job-hunting right away, and employers often prefer hiring EU applicants to simplify contracts.

  
  

• Affordable life (outside the hotspots). Madrid and Barcelona are pricey, but head to Valencia, Seville, or Málaga, and you’ll see why so many expats stay for good. The weather, food, and lower rent make earning a little less feel more than acceptable.

My point? Spain can be a great choice. But you do need to keep expectations realistic, target the right sectors, and apply for jobs proactively.

Work Visa & Eligibility Requirements for Spain

Before applying for jobs, you need to know how work permits and visas in Spain work. (Spoiler: the process can be smooth or slow, depending on your nationality.)

Visa-Free Rules for EU/EEA Citizens

If you’re from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, good news: you can live and work in Spain without a visa or work permit. You’ll just need to:

• Register your residence within 3 months of arrival.

• Apply for a NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero)—your all-purpose ID for taxes, healthcare, and employment.

  
  

Once done, you can legally work, access healthcare, and rent a place like any local.

Visa Options for Non-EU Citizens

If you’re from outside the EU, there are several paths to work legally in Spain:

• Work Visa (Residence & Work Permit): Standard route if you have a job offer from a Spanish employer. Usually valid for 1 year, renewable annually.

• EU Blue Card: For highly qualified professionals with a degree and a job paying at least 1.5× the average Spanish salary (about €33,000/year). Offers long-term residence rights.

• Digital Nomad Visa: Spain’s 2023 game-changer. It lets remote workers or freelancers live in Spain for up to 5 years while working for companies abroad. This visa requires proof of €2,650/month in income and valid health insurance.

• Self-Employment Visa: For freelancers who can show a viable business plan and contracts or clients.

Always double-check the official Spanish Consulate or Ministry of Inclusion website before applying. (Rules shift frequently, so it's important to keep up.)

Getting Sponsored by an Employer in Spain

Employer sponsorship in Spain exists, but it’s not as common as in countries like Germany or the Netherlands.

Most sponsorships happen in IT, engineering, healthcare, and language education, where local talent is limited. If you’re not an EU citizen, you’ll have a stronger chance with international firms or startups based in Madrid or Barcelona, as they’re used to handling visa paperwork.

And here’s a tip: always mention “planning a relocation in (e.g., Q2 2026)” or, at least, “familiar with the Spanish visa process” in your cover letter. It reduces hesitation from employers.

How to Find a Job in Spain

Now, I'll be blunt about this. Finding a job in Spain can be a test of patience. It’s not impossible (thousands of foreigners do it every year), but it rarely happens overnight. Between the slower hiring pace, bureaucratic paperwork, and the “who-you-know” nature of Spanish business, you’ll need both persistence and strategy.

Here’s how to approach your job search in Spain the way locals and successful expats actually do.

Best Job Boards for English-Speaking Roles in Spain

If you’re looking for English-speaking jobs in Spain, you’ll want to combine local and international sources, because Spanish employers don’t always post on the platforms you’d expect.

• LinkedIn Jobs (Spain filter): Still your best bet. Many international and hybrid roles are listed here, especially in Madrid, Barcelona, and Málaga. Be sure to switch your profile language to English and Spanish to get maximum visibility.

• InfoJobs: Spain’s biggest local job board. Most listings are in Spanish, but that’s exactly why it’s worth it: many bilingual and expat-friendly jobs never make it to LinkedIn.

• Europe Language Jobs: Focuses on multilingual roles, particularly English + another EU language. Perfect for customer service, sales, and marketing professionals.

• Landing.jobs: A growing hub for tech and digital careers across southern Europe. Often features relocation support and hybrid options.

• Jobandtalent and Jobrapido: – Great for shorter-term or entry-level contracts, especially in hospitality and logistics.

  
  

Top Industries for Foreigners in Spain

If you want to find a job in Spain faster, focus on the sectors actively hiring international professionals. Here’s where expats are actually landing roles:

• Tech & startups: Spain’s tech scene has exploded since COVID. Barcelona, Madrid, and Málaga (“the new Silicon Valley of the Med”) are full of startups hiring English-speaking developers, data analysts, and marketers. You’ll often see roles listed as remote-friendly within Spain, so you can live in Valencia while working for a company based in Barcelona.

  
  

• Customer experience & shared service centers: Dozens of global outsourcing firms, like Teleperformance, Webhelp, and Majorel, hire multilingual employees for support, sales, and account management roles. If you speak English + another EU language (German, Dutch, French), you’ll be in high demand.

  
  

• Tourism & hospitality: Spain’s tourism industry still employs over 2.5 million people, and it needs seasonal staff every year. For EU citizens, these jobs are the easiest entry point. Hotels, resorts, and travel agencies value language skills above all else.

  
  

• Education & language programs: Teaching English remains one of the most common ways foreigners start working in Spain. Programs like Auxiliares de Conversación, British Council, and private academies hire thousands of native or near-native speakers annually.

  
  

• Engineering, energy & green tech: With billions in EU recovery funds invested in renewable energy, companies are recruiting engineers, project managers, and sustainability consultants. Many of these roles are bilingual but open to foreigners with relevant experience.

  
  
  
  

The Biggest Companies Hiring International People in Spain

Spain’s growth in the international job market is driven by global firms that prioritize English-speaking professionals. Check them out.

If you’re serious about working abroad in Spain, start by targeting these kinds of companies. They’re structured, reliable, and already used to hiring from abroad (meaning you won’t have to explain what “visa sponsorship” means).

Cost of Living, Taxes & Salaries in Spain

Salary in Spain is the number-one shock for many newcomers. It’s definitely lower than in Northern Europe. But the cost of living in Spain can balance that out if you choose your city wisely.

Average Salaries for Expats in Spain

• Customer support or admin: €1,200–€1,800/month

• Marketing or tech: €2,000–€3,500/month

• Engineering or finance: €2,500–€4,000/month

• Teaching: €1,200–€1,800/month

Salaries stretch further in Valencia, Granada, or Seville than in Madrid or Barcelona, where housing costs are much higher.

Average Monthly Living Costs in Major Cities

If you earn €2,500/month, you can live comfortably in Valencia. In Madrid, that same salary means budgeting carefully.

Tax Rates, Social Contributions & Employee Benefits

Spain uses a progressive income tax system:

• 19% on income up to €12,450

• 24% for €12,451–€20,200

• 30% for €20,201–€35,200

• 37% for €35,201–€60,000

• 45% for income above €60,000

Employees contribute around 6–7% to social security, and employers cover about 30%. Expats working remotely under the Digital Nomad Visa can qualify for special tax regimes.

Working Culture & Lifestyle in Spain

If you think “siesta culture” means laziness, think again. Spain’s work culture is a mix of warmth, social energy, and late nights that make productivity… flexible.

Work Hours, Holidays & Leave Policies

The typical Spanish workweek is 40 hours, Monday to Friday, with 22–30 days of vacation per year plus 14 public holidays. Yes, some offices close for la siesta, but it’s less common in big cities. Expect a slower rhythm and extended breaks, especially in August and December.

Typical Employee Benefits

Full-time employees typically enjoy universal healthcare, pension contributions, and even 14 monthly salary payments (the famous “13th and 14th salary” bonuses). Some companies also provide meal vouchers, transport allowances, or hybrid work flexibility.

Work Culture, Communication & Management Style

Spanish workplaces thrive on personal connection. Relationships matter as much as results. Meetings start with small talk (and probably coffee). Communication is generally indirect but polite, and management can feel hierarchical compared to Northern Europe.

Expats often mention that projects move more slowly, but also that people are more patient, collaborative, and kind. It’s not a culture of “rush and burn”. It’s one of “get it done... eventually, but together.”

Pros and Cons of Living and Working in Spain

Spain seems like an easy yes: sun, sea, slower afternoons, and cities with real personality (Madrid’s energy, Barcelona’s creativity, Valencia’s balance, Málaga’s rising tech scene, Bilbao’s industry). Add in strong worker protections, affordable daily life in many regions, and a growing remote and startup ecosystem, and it’s easy to see the appeal.

But the pros and cons are both real.

Salaries can lag behind Western EU peers, hiring moves at a human pace, and Spanish (or Catalan, Basque, and Galician locally) opens far more doors than English alone.

Here are all the pros and cons you need to know before taking the leap, so you can design a great life here, especially if you pick the right city and sector for your goals.

FAQs About Working in Spain as an EU Citizen